Hello everyone, welcome back to another flight review. Today, we’re doing a short domestic hop from Beijing to Shanghai, ahead of my long-anticipated trip on SG Suites from PVG to SIN. As Chinese New Year winds down, time to depart back to reality. A shorter review today, I hope you all enjoy!
Today we’re taking Hainan Airlines on their narrowbody. For those interested in a widebody review, please feel free to check out the trip I took on China’s first A330 Neo inaugural from Beijing to Haikou already published on my site.
There are nearly 40 daily flights from Beijing to Shanghai, but to have an exact routing from PEK to PVG narrows it down significantly, leaving you with only 5 or so choices. Most flights arrive at SHA, and quite a few that enter PVG now depart from PKX, which is a good hour or so out of the city. With my SG flight leaving around 16:40 the same day, this was my only option.
Since Chinese New Year was still ongoing, the streets of Beijing were eerily empty. This gave me to confidence to head to the airport later than ever before, arriving within 20 minutes of boarding.
A nice little Chinese New Year display here at T2.
T2 here at PEK is essentially an HU hub, with all its domestic and international departures leaving from here. The last time I flew internationally from here on HU must have been pre-pandemic times back with direct service to Boston.
Domestic check-in today was extremely packed. Luckily the J area was empty. HU brands their J and high-tier members with a gold color scheme distinguishing itself from the otherwise dominant red color, nice touch of luxury.
After checking in my luggage, I was offered one of two spare window seas. Since it was now 10:07 and boarding begins in 8 minutes, the receptionist was eager I get moving. Unfortunately, fast-track security didn’t live up to its name as despite having only one other passenger in line, it took a good 10 minutes to pass through. Turns out the lady in front had quite a few questionable items in her carry on. Even the passport check agent seems concerned I wasn’t going to make it, she kept yelling at the security officers “1 minute until boarding here!”
HU offers two lounges adjacent to one another here at T2. One being for Priority Pass and credit card members, the other strictly for J and tier members. I have a review on them in my Beijing-Haikou review, for those interested. Either way, no time for me to check it out today. I was just glad to see I wasn’t at one of the A gates, satellite bus terminal.
Heading to my gate, I couldn’t help but stop and snap this shot of a dreamliner, on its way to Shenzhen.
At my gate, boarding was still going on. Although the sign showed ‘last call’, everyone seemed to be casual and in no rush. I couldn’t grab an ideal shot of my jet, given the gate position, but snapped one on the jetbridge.
I was quite disappointed with the boarding process. On the left hand side there was a space for J passengers, who are always welcome to board at their leisure. I headed over and no one noticed me, except for the line of people staring and gossiping about me trying to skip the line. I tried approaching the gate agents, but no one seemed too interested in acknowledging my presence. Oh well, back of the line I go! We ended up waiting another 10 minutes or so when on the jet bridge. Not the ideal start you want when paying a premium.
A snap of our 737-800 taking us over to PVG today!
Upon boarding, I was pleasantly surprised to see no seat neighbor.
In the safety card space in front houses a bottle of water, mixed nuts, slippers, and the food/drinks menu.
I had only just sat down and taken out my laptop before a family approached me with their child and asked if they could sit together. No problem, I’m nothing but a good Samaritan. I did end up regretting this decision ever so slightly later, but nothing to do with the family. Anyway, time to vacate to the second row. I managed to take a quick snap of this enormous leg space in the first row before moving back, but it wasn’t too big of a distinction.
At my new seat here in row 2.
Being an older narrowbody, there is no IFE nor Wifi access. Not a problem though for such a short flight. CA and MU crew usually come over and offer to take the slippers out for you, but this wasn’t offered today. I’m unsure if this was because I wasn’t the first to board. Again, not a glaring issue, just an observation.
The mixed nuts.
I then checked out the menu. Unfortunately, there is only a Mandarin food menu offered, I will do my best to do the translations (coming up shortly). MU has a set menu throughout the year, with 3 options for each meal (breakfast, lunch or diner) depending on what day of the month. Three options between the 1st and 10th of a month, three other options for the next ten days, and so on.
The drinks menu, luckily, does have an English version. A solid selection for short domestic hops.
The crew then came by with cold wet towels.
The gentleman sitting next to me was served a glass of coconut milk, my absolutely favorite drink HU offered. I asked for the same.
Speaking of him, I don’t think he uttered a single word to the crew throughout the entire flight.
The crew then came by to take lunch orders. Instead of showing or utilizing the menu card, they just showed me a slip of paper with the three options written down, the same ones as on the menu card for the respective days in the month. Although I would say my favorite cut of meat is steak, beef as a protein isn’t as perfect as duck, in my eyes. I always choose a duck dish if offered, and was glad to see it as the Western option. I feel this is a smart move on MU’s part. Duck is far easier to cook right than beef, and probably also more cost-efficient, not to mention better tasting in the skies. The other two options: 1. Kong pao shrimp, kong pao chicken, fried radish and edamame with rice, 2. Knife cut noodles with vegetables (I got a picture of this as my neighbour ordered it, stay tuned).
You know the small table in between you and your neighbor on narrowbody flights, you know how that’s meant to be shared? I guess not. From the moment I sat down, my neighbor took it over. Placed his glasses case, used tissues, wet wiped, and radio there. The crew ended up having to hand me my drinks into my hand since there was physically no more space. He was also extremely unwilling to shift his high and mighty legs back one inch so I could use the toilet. I guess it speaks volumes being someone who never thanked any crew members for their service throughout the journey.
Anyways, since I boarded quite late, the doors soon closed and we began taxing. T2 at PEK has its fair share of international carriers. On our way, I spotted this beautiful Air Maldives jet with arguably the coolest tail design I’ve ever seen.
Unfortunately, Chinese social media seems not too pleased with their onboard offerings. This was also the first Korean Air new livery I’ve spotted, blending in with the KLM jet nextdoor.
I wonder when KLM will bring their newer cabins to Beijing, as I believe the newest seats have been equipped on flights to Shanghai Pudong (they always get the better ones!).
The legroom in row 2 wasn't as big as in row 1, but still solid regardless.
We soon headed over to the runway and blasted out at 10:45, ten minutes ahead of schedule for our one hour and forty-three-minute journey. One of the downsides to a narrowbody for me personally is the increased sense of bumpiness. Although I know turbulence isn’t anything dangerous (trust me, I’ve watched sooo many videos to calm myself down), I still feel extra nervous when experiencing it on a narrowbody. I can say without a doubt, this was the smoothest narrowbody flight I’ve ever been on. Kudos to the captain and today’s clear skies!
As soon as we reached cruising altitude, the crew began service. After going to wash-up in the toilet (and dealing with a begrudging neighbor) and returned to find the mom and her child’s hats had fallen into my seat. I kicked things off with a diet coke, which was placed directly into my hands due to my neighbor taking up all the common space. The crew then helped open up a mini extendable tray from underneath, which was much appreciated. Mainland Chinese crew never disappoint.
The blanket I quickly tossed over my legs.
I took a quick trip to the lavatory to freshen up. I love that Hainan feature real flowers, a lovely touch. There's also two creams available, overall a great showing for such a short flight. The lavatory, as it usually is on mainland carriers, was squeaky clean throughout the journey.
A cute HU themed air freshener, would love some of these at home (perhaps the family wouldn't appreciate it as much:) ).
Back at my seat, a tablecloth was then provided as our main meal was imminent.
The food was then presented, all on one plate. On first glance, the duck may not seem too colorful or inspiring, but it tasted great. I’ve always been a fan of a nice savory sauce on any cut of meat, this did not disappoint! As I was eating, I actually thought about it and this was my first time having duck on a plane. The fruit was also very fresh and bread quite toasty, with great flavor when I dipped some into the duck sauce. The duck itself perfectly cooked, not too old as beef or chicken often can be in the air.
Once my neighbor finally woke up, the PA announcement for descent already came on. He asked for his meal, which I managed to steal a photo of. To be fair, those look like pretty delicious noodles, far more appetizing than ones I’ve had on other mainland carriers.
Interestingly, he refused for the crew to collect his tray even when being told try tables needed to be folded. The last 15 minutes of flight, which is always quite bumpy flying through the clouds upon arrival, was just both J crew members staring in his direction in anticipation of finally being allowed to take his plates.
When clearing up the still half-full can of my coke, the crew happily handed me over a brand new can.
I also spotted this airport with around 5 or so minutes of flight left. Anyone know where this is?
We landed in PVG at 12:51, nearly half an hour ahead of schedule. My neighbor offered me one last eyeroll as I picked up my bag from the overhead bins. I was just happy to part ways with him.
